Power Cell and Associated Assembly Method

Abstract

A power cell and a method of assembling a power cell is described. The power cell comprises a valve operable to vent gas from a power cell housing, the valve comprising a first alignment feature. The power cell further comprises a duct attachable to the power cell housing and configured to direct gas released from the valve, wherein the duct comprises a second alignment feature configured to cooperate with the first alignment feature of the valve, in an assembled configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A power cell comprising:
 a valve operable to vent gas from a power cell housing, the valve comprising a first alignment feature; and   a duct attachable to the power cell housing and configured to direct gas released from the valve, wherein the duct comprises a second alignment feature configured to cooperate with the first alignment feature of the valve, in an assembled configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The power cell of  claim 1 , wherein the first alignment feature is in a first orientation when the valve is correctly fitted to the power cell. 
     
     
         3 . The power cell of  claim 1 , wherein the power cell comprises a set of locating features configured to locate the duct relative to the housing, in an assembled configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The power cell of  claim 1 , wherein the duct is attachable to the valve. 
     
     
         5 . The power cell of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature comprises a protruding feature, and the other of first alignment feature and the second alignment feature comprises a recessed feature. 
     
     
         6 . The power cell of  claim 5 , wherein the valve is a burst valve operable to vent gases away from the power cell if a pressure within the power cell is at or above a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle comprising the power cell of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method of assembling a power cell comprising a valve and a duct, the valve having a first alignment feature and the duct having a second alignment feature, the method comprising:
 fitting the valve to a housing of the power cell; and   fitting the duct to the housing power cell when the first alignment feature is aligned with the second alignment feature.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first alignment feature is in a first orientation when the valve is correctly fitted to the power cell. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the power cell comprises a set of locating features configured to locate the duct relative to the housing, in an assembled configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the duct is attachable to the valve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first alignment feature and the second alignment feature comprises a protruding feature, and the other of first alignment feature and the second alignment feature comprises a recessed feature. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the valve is a burst valve operable to vent gases away from the power cell if a pressure within the power cell is at or above a predetermined threshold.